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Robert D. "Bob" Thomas

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | November 28, 2025

Robert D. "Bob" Thomas, 80, of Elizabeth Township, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. He was born June 4, 1945, in McKeesport and was the was the son of the late Robert James and the late Ruth Lillian (Haughton) Thomas. Bob was a 1963 graduate of West Mifflin South High School and spent his career as an electrician at the former Fisher Body Plant. He proudly served as President of UAW Local 544 for six years. He was proud of his community and served as an Elizabeth Township Commissioner for eight years and was also a member of Harry S. Truman F&AM Lodge 765 in Dravosburg. A man of remarkable skill and determination, Bob could fix anything, and if he didn’t know how, he would simply teach himself. He took great pride in his home, especially his yard and garden, and even built the shed in his backyard himself. Bob cherished the outdoors, especially fishing trips with his grandson Zachary and his friend Ralph Crousure, often visiting their favorite spots at Kinzua Lake and throughout Somerset, PA. He loved being a grandfather, some of his favorite times were watching Zachary play baseball or being a devoted “girl granddad” to his granddaughters. He loved listening to his son Chris play guitar and watching his son Scott wrestle and play soccer and was proud of all Kelly's accomplishments. Above all, he was incredibly proud of his children and was a wonderful and devoted husband. Some of his happiest moments were spent beside his wife, Charlene, whether relaxing together watching “The Voice,” “Tulsa King,” or their favorite history programs, or traveling to Amish Country in Holmes County, Ohio, where they enjoyed cheeses, jellies , and finding furniture. Bob also treasured the many trips he took with Charlene and his siblings to San Antonio, St. Augustine, Savannah, and Alaska. Bob will be fondly remembered for his warmth, his resourcefulness, his love of American Honey liquor, and especially his famous Thanksgiving stuffing, a family recipe passed down from his mother and now shared with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived his wife of 59 years, Charlene Ann (Zollars) Thomas; daughter, Kelly Ann Thomas; sons, Robert Scott (Jennifer) Thomas, and Christopher D. (Kim) Thomas; grandchildren, Zachary (Kaitlyn) Thomas, Lindsey Thomas and Sydney Thomas; great-grandchildren, Lainey and Kennedy Thomas; brother, David H. (Connie) Thomas, sister, Ruth Ann (Keith) Lowery; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Friends are welcome on Monday, December 1, 2025 from 12:00 pm -1:00 pm at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, Director. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm in the funeral home chapel with The Rev. Adam Stump, officiating. Burial at Lebanon Church Cemetery will be held at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob's name may be made to: Elizabeth's Guardian Angels: C/O Stephanie Squibb, 1634 Fallen Timber Road, Elizabeth, PA 15037. Condolences may be made at GilbertFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Originally published November 28, 2025.

Other deaths:
"Thomas D. Komondor" ||